r/Cybersecurity to Go Private in Protest of Reddit’s API Changes

In a bold move to safeguard the future of community engagement and third-party applications, the r/cybersecurity community has decided to go private from June 12th to 14th. This decision arises after careful consideration of member feedback concerning Reddit’s recent changes to its API policy, which many believe threaten the existence of valued third-party apps.

The response from our community has been overwhelmingly clear: the majority of our members are calling for Reddit to reconsider its current policy, which significantly impacts developers and the accessibility of the platform. As a result, we have chosen to join a broader protest against these changes.

What to Expect During the Blackout

For the duration of the blackout, our subreddit will be inaccessible to new members and those browsing without authentication. We strongly encourage all community members to abstain from visiting Reddit during this period. This is a unified stance that signifies our discontent with the decisions made by Reddit’s leadership.

During this time, we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions on how we can further engage in this protest. Ideas may include limiting new posts and comments, introducing discussions about alternative social media platforms like Mastodon, Lemmy, or Bluesky, or creating threads for community interaction during the blackout.

The Road Ahead

As we initiate this temporary measure, it’s unclear how Reddit will respond. They may choose to retract these changes, or they could potentially strip us of our moderator privileges or impose other restrictions. Regardless of the outcome, we want to express our gratitude for your continued support and engagement. It has been a privilege to serve this community.

Learn More About the Situation

For those interested in understanding the context behind our decision, here are some resources that provide insight:

• A succinct infographic outlining the issues at hand.
• An open letter discussing the effects of API changes on moderators and communities.
• A growing list of major Reddit communities that are joining this protest.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this crucial time. Together, we can voice our concerns and advocate for the changes we believe are necessary. Your participation matters.